Collapsible Stand

ABSTRACT

A collapsible stand including plurality of side members, each having one or more fastener elements operable to removably engage one another to assemble a base capable of supporting a supportable object. The collapsible stand can further include a stabilizer, a support member guide, and a support member.

This United States Non-Provisional patent application claims the benefitof U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/811,084, filed Apr. 11,2013, hereby incorporated by reference herein.

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Generally, collapsible stands and methods of making and usingcollapsible stands. Specifically, collapsible stands having areduced-volume disassembled condition and a load-bearing assembledcondition useful for engaging a supportable object.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional jack stands may be commonly used to support raised loads.For example, jack stands may frequently be employed to support motorvehicles.

Conventional jack stands may have variable configurations which mayinclude a straight column, a pyramid or a cone. A disadvantage ofstraight column stands may be their relatively limited ground contactarea and propensity to buckle under lateral load and, subsequently,relatively limited capacity to support a load as compared to pyramidalor conical configured stands. Thus, pyramidal or conical configuredstands may offer greater ground contact area and have a greater bucklingload as compared to straight column stands, therefore affording agreater load capacity than straight column stands. However, thecomponents of conventional pyramidal or conical configured stands aretypically joined in a fixed configuration by welds, rivets, or the like.Consequently, these conventional stands may have a fixed volume whichmay make transportation or storage inconvenient or more costly.

There remains a long-felt unresolved need for a stand having a loadbearing assembled condition and a reduced volume disassembled condition.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a broad object of the invention can be to provide acollapsible stand having a reduced-volume disassembled condition and aload-bearing assembled condition useful for engaging a supportableobject.

Another broad object of the invention can be a method of producing acollapsible stand having a reduced-volume disassembled condition whichcan be assembled to provide a load-bearing support useful for engaging asupportable object.

Another broad object of the invention can be a method of assembling aload-bearing support useful for engaging a supportable object from acollapsible stand having a reduced-volume disassembled condition.

Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed throughoutother areas of the specification, drawings, and claims.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a particular embodiment of the inventivecollapsible stand.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of side members of aparticular embodiment of the inventive collapsible stand in areduce-volume disassembled condition.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a plurality side members of the particularembodiment of the inventive collapsible stand shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the plurality of side members of theparticular embodiment of the inventive collapsible stand shown in FIG. 2in an assembled load-bearing configuration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of the inventivecollapsible stand.

FIG. 6 is front view of a particular embodiment of the inventivecollapsible stand.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a particular embodiment of the inventivecollapsible stand.

FIG. 8 is top view of a particular embodiment of the inventivecollapsible stand.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a particular embodiment of the inventivecollapsible stand.

FIG. 10 is a graph which plots deflection of the inventive stand in theassembled load-bearing condition in response to an applied load duringaxial tension and compression testing.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now referring primarily to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, which illustrate amethod of assembling a particular embodiment of the inventivecollapsible stand (1). As to particular embodiments, a plurality of sidemembers (2) can be obtained in a disassembled condition (3), which canbe stacked in overlying engagement one upon another to form asubstantially planate stack (4) (as shown in the example of FIG. 2). Theplanate stack (4) can occupy a reduced volume as compared to anassembled plurality of side members (2) (as shown in the example of FIG.4). The plurality of side members (2) can each have one or more fastenerelements (5) configured to removably engage to assemble a base (6) (asshown in the example of FIG. 4) from the disassembled plurality of sidemembers (2) (as shown in the example of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 1, particular embodiments of theinventive collapsible stand (1) can further include a stabilizer (7)bound by a stabilizer periphery (8) from which can extend one or morestabilizer tabs (9). The stabilizer (7) can be removably coupled to thebase (6) during assembly of the plurality of side members (2) byinserting each stabilizer tab (9) into each corresponding one of sidemember aperture elements (10) to engage the stabilizer periphery (8)with a base internal surface (11) of the assembled base (6).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the assembled base (6) candefine a base top opening (12) and a base bottom opening (13), and thestabilizer (7) can further include a stabilizer opening (14). Uponassembly of the base (6), the stabilizer opening (14) can be alignedwith the base top opening (12). As to particular embodiments, a supportmember guide (15) can be removably insertingly received into the basetop opening (12) and the stabilizer opening (14). As to particularembodiments, a support member (16) can be telescopically engaged insidethe support member guide (15). The support member (16) can terminate ina support terminal element (17), which can removably engage asupportable object (18) (as shown in the example of FIG. 1). Theinventive collapsible stand (1) can be disassembled in a reverse orderfrom the assembly of the inventive collapsible stand (1).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 4, which show an illustrative embodimentof the inventive collapsible stand (1) in an assembled condition (19).The side members (2) can be substantially planate and can havesubstantially similar dimensional relations. As to particularembodiments, each side member (2) can have a top edge (20), a bottomedge (21), and a pair of opposed side edges (22)(23), each one of thepair of opposed side edges (22)(23) configured to abuttingly engage toform a base (6) having a base internal surface (11) which encloses atubular volume between the base top opening (12) (as shown in theexample of FIG. 8) and the base bottom opening (13) (as shown in theexample of FIG. 9).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 1 through FIG. 9, as to particularembodiments, the side members (2) can be substantially planate,including opposed flat side member faces (24)(25) disposed a thickness(26) apart (as shown in the example of FIG. 2). The pair of opposed sideedges (22)(23) can have substantially equal length disposed between thetop edge (20), which can be in substantially parallel relation to thebottom edge (21). As to particular embodiments, the top edge (20) andthe bottom edge (21) can have unequal length, wherein the top edge (20)can have lesser length and the bottom edge (21) can have a greaterlength. The base (6) can be assembled by removably engaging the fastenerelements (5) with one another to dispose each top edge (20) of lesserlength at the base top opening (12) and each bottom edge (21) of greaterlength at the base bottom opening (13). As such, the side members (2)can be disposed in substantially angulated relation with one another. Asto particular embodiments, the base (6) can be assembled from aplurality of substantially planate side members (2), the assembled base(6) having a trapezium configuration which can provide a base (6) havinga base external surface (27) configured substantially in the form of atruncated pyramid (28).

While the illustrative examples shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 9 depict abase (6) in an assembled condition (19) having a base external surface(27) substantially in the form of a truncated pyramid (28), otherconfigurations of the inventive collapsible stand (1) can, uponassembly, provide a base (6) having a base external surface (27) invarious other configurations, such as a truncated cone, a truncatedoval, a truncated triangular pyramid, a truncated polygon, or the like,or combinations thereof.

Again referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 9, as to particular embodiments,the inventive collapsible stand (1) can include fastener elements (5)configured to interdigitatingly couple by sliding engagement to formmated pairs of fastener elements (29) (as shown in the example of FIG.4). As to particular embodiments, a mated pair of fastener elements (29)can include a mated pair of hook elements (30), one each extending inopposed relation from a corresponding pair of opposed side edges(22)(23) of equal length of a corresponding pair of side members (2) (asshown in the example of FIG. 4). As to particular embodiments, a hookelement (30) can include a shank portion (31) connected to a hookportion (32) (as shown in the example of FIG. 2). The shank portion (31)can be coupled to a side member (2) in numerous and varied locationsalong the side edges (22)(23). As to particular embodiments, the hookportion (32) can be disposed in angled relation to the shank portion(31). As shown in the example of FIG. 2, the hook portion (32) can bedisposed in an angled relation of about 90 degrees to the shank portion(32); as such, the hook portion (32) can be disposed in substantiallyparallel relation to the side edge (22)(23) to which the shank portion(31) can be coupled to in substantially perpendicular relation.

As to particular embodiments, the side members (2) can be produced fromat least one, one or more, or a combination of a wide variety ofmaterials including as illustrative examples: metal sheet such as hotrolled steel, cold rolled steel, mild steel, aluminum, perforated sheetmetal, and the like; plastic sheet such as polycarbonate,polyetheretherketone, polybenzimidazole, polyamide-imide, and the like;composite materials such as phenolic laminate, fiber reinforcedpolymers, ceramic matrices, metal matrices, graphite composite, and thelike. Additionally, side members (2) can be produced from any materialand any process (such as molding or machining) which results in the sidemembers (2) having sufficient rigidity and strength to allow assemblyinto a particular embodiment of the inventive collapsible stand (1).Depending upon the supportable object (18), the material selected willhave a greater or lesser rigidity and strength. As to particularembodiments, side members (2) can be produced from metal sheet having athickness of between about 1/16 inch to about ½ inch. As to particularembodiments, the thickness of the metal sheet can be selected from thegroup including or consisting of: between about 1/16 inch to about 3/16inch, between about ⅛ inch to about ¼ inch, between about 3/16 inch toabout 5/16 inch, between about ¼ inch to about ⅜ inch, between about5/16 inch to about 7/16 inch, and between about ⅜ inch to about ½ inch.

Again referring primarily to FIG. 5 through FIG. 9, particularembodiments of the inventive collapsible stand (1) can further includesupport member (16), which can be produced from a solid or tubular rodhaving a generally square cross section. The support member (16) can beinsertingly received by a corresponding base top opening (12) which canbound a generally square base top opening area (33) of sufficientdimension to insertingly receive the support member (16). Additionalcross sectional configurations of the support member (16) encompassed bythe inventive collapsible stand (1) can include, as illustrativeexamples: circular, oval, elliptical, triangular, rectangular,polygonal, or the like, or combinations thereof.

According to particular embodiments, the support member (16) can bedisposed in removably fixed relation to the base (6). According to otherparticular embodiments, the support member (16) can be disposed invariably adjustable relation to the base (6). According to yet otherparticular embodiments, the support member (16) can be removably securedwithin the base (6).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 5 through FIG. 9, the support member(16) can further include a support member height adjustment element(34). As to particular embodiments, the support member height adjustmentelement (34) can include a pass-through (35) formed by aligning asupport member bore element (36), which communicates between opposedsupport member sides (37)(38) (as shown in the example of FIG. 7), and aside member bore element (39), which communicates between the baseinternal surface (11) and the base external surface (27). A securingelement (40) can be configured to removably insert into the pass-through(35), whereby insertion of the securing element (40) through thepass-through (35) secures the support member (16) in a fixed locationwithin the base (6). As to particular embodiments, at least one sidemember bore element (39) can be disposed within each of a pair ofopposed side members (2) of the base (6).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 5 through FIG. 7, the support member(16) can further include a support terminal element (17) coupled to asupport member first end (41). As to particular embodiments, the supportterminal element (17) can be configured to engage a supportable object(18) (as shown in the example of FIG. 1). As to particular embodiments,the support terminal element (17) can have an arcuate form; however, theinvention is not so limited and the support terminal element (17) can beconfigured in any manner which allows engagement with a supportableobject (18).

Again referring primarily to FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, particular embodimentsof the inventive collapsible stand (1) can further include a stabilizer(7) having a stabilizer periphery (8) and a stabilizer opening (14),which bounds a stabilizer opening area (42). The stabilizer periphery(8) can be configured to engage the base internal surface (11) when aplurality of side members (2) are assembled into a base (6). As shown inthe example of FIG. 9, the entire length or substantially the entirelength of the stabilizer periphery (8) can engage or contact the baseinternal surface (11). The base top opening (12) and the stabilizeropening (14) can insertingly receive the support member (16) uponalignment of the base top opening (12) and the stabilizer opening (14).As shown in FIG. 9, the entire length or substantially the entire lengthof the boundary of the stabilizer opening (14) can engage or contact thesupport member guide (15).

As to particular embodiments, the stabilizer opening (14) can bound asubstantially square stabilizer opening area (42). The substantiallysquare stabilizer opening (42) can be aligned with a substantiallysquare base top opening area (33) to insertingly receive a supportmember (16) having a generally square configuration. Additionalconfigurations of the stabilizer opening (14) encompassed by the instantinvention include, as illustrative examples: circular, oval, elliptical,triangular, rectangular, polygonal, or the like, or combinationsthereof.

Now referring primarily to FIG. 5 through FIG. 9, the stabilizer (7) caninclude one or more stabilizer tabs (9) extending from the stabilizerperiphery (8). Additionally, side members (2) of the base (6) caninclude one or more side member aperture elements (10) communicatingbetween opposed flat side member faces (24)(25). Correspondingstabilizer tabs (9) and side member aperture elements (10) can belocated to allow one or more stabilizer tabs (9) to be inserted into oneor more corresponding side member aperture elements (10) to locate thestabilizer periphery (8) proximate to, engaging with, or in contact withthe base internal surface (11).

Again referring primarily to FIG. 5 through FIG. 9, particularembodiments of the inventive collapsible stand (1) can further include asupport member guide (15), which can be removably inserted into the basetop opening (12). As to those particular embodiments including astabilizer (7), the support member guide (15) can be removably insertedinto the base top opening (12) and the stabilizer opening (14) uponalignment of the base opening (12) and the stabilizer opening (14).

As to particular embodiments, the support member guide (15) can beproduced from a substantially square tube having a substantially squaresupport member guide external surface (43) and a substantially squaresupport member guide internal surface (44) defining a support memberguide passage (45) (as shown in the example of FIG. 1). The base topopening (12) can correspondingly bound a substantially square base topopening area (33) and, as to those particular embodiments which includea stabilizer (7), the stabilizer opening (14) can bound a substantiallysquare stabilizer opening area (42). Alignment of the substantiallysquare stabilizer opening (14) with the substantially square base topopening (12) of a base (6) in an assembled condition (19) allows thesupport member guide (15) to be removably inserted into the base topopening area (33) and into the stabilizer opening area (42). Additionalconfigurations of the support member guide (15) encompassed by theinstant invention include, as illustrative examples: circular, oval,elliptical, triangular, rectangular, polygonal, or the like, orcombinations thereof.

Now referring primarily to FIG. 5 through FIG. 8, a support member guide(15) can further include one or more stop elements (46) extending from asupport member guide external surface (43). The one or more stopelements (46) can engage with a top edge (20) of one or more sidemembers (2) of a base (6) in an assembled condition (19). The one ormore stop elements (46) engaged with one or more top edges (20) of oneor more side members (2) of a base (6) in an assembled condition (19)can interrupt travel and establish the support member guide (15) inremovable fixed relation to the base (6).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, a support member guide(15) can further include a pair of support member guide bore elements(47) (as shown in the example of FIG. 1), which communicate betweenopposed support member guide sides (48)(49) (as shown in the example ofFIG. 7). The pair of support member guide bores elements (47) can bealigned with the support member bore elements (36) as part of thepass-through (35) of the support member height adjustment element (34)to allow variable height adjustment of the support member (16) inrelation to the base (6). The securing element (40) can be configured toremovably insert into the pass-through (35), thereby removably securingthe support member (16) and the support member guide (15) within thebase (6).

As to particular embodiments, the inventive collapsible stand (1) in theassembled condition (19) can support a load (50) in the range of betweenabout 5,000 pounds to about 25,000 pounds. As to particular embodiments,the load (50) can be selected from the group including or consisting of:between about 5,000 pounds to about 10,000 pounds, between about 7,500pounds to about 12,500 pounds, between about 10,000 pounds to about15,000 pounds, between about 12,500 pounds to about 17,500 pounds,between about 15,000 pounds to about 20,000 pounds, between about 17,500pounds to about 22,500 pounds, and between about 20,000 pounds to about25,000 pounds. However, the invention is not so limited and embodimentsof the inventive collapsible stand (1) in the assembled condition (19)can support a load (50) of less than about 5,000 pounds or greater thanabout 25,000 pounds.

As to particular embodiments, the inventive collapsible stand (1) can beprovided as a kit comprising a plurality of side members (2), eachhaving a top edge (20), a bottom edge (21), and a pair of opposed sideedges (22)(23), each one of the pair of opposed side edges (2)(23)configured to abuttingly engage to assemble a base (6) having a baseinternal surface (11), which can enclose a tubular volume between a basetop opening (12) and a base bottom opening (13); and a fastener element(5) extending from each of the pair of opposed side edges (22)(23) ofthe plurality of side members (2), each fastener element of a first ofthe plurality of side members (2) located to removably fasten with thefastener element of a second of the plurality of side members (2) onabutting engagement of each one of the pair of opposed side edges(22)(23) to fix assembled configuration of the base (6).

As to particular embodiments, the inventive collapsible stand (1) can beprovided as a kit wherein each of the plurality of side members (2)further includes opposed flat side member faces (24)(25) disposed athickness (26) apart, the plurality of side members (2) capable ofoverlaying engagement to provide a planate stack (4).

As to particular embodiments, the inventive collapsible stand (1) can beprovided as a kit wherein each of the plurality of side members (2)further includes a pair of opposed side edges (22)(23) havingsubstantially equal length disposed between the top edge (20) disposedin substantially parallel relation to the bottom edge (21), the top edge(20) and the bottom edge (21) having unequal length, the top edge (20)having a lesser length and the bottom edge (21) having a greater length,the fastener elements (5) fasten to dispose each top edge (20) of lesserlength at the base top opening (12) and each bottom edge (21) of greaterlength at the base bottom opening (13).

As to particular embodiments, the inventive collapsible stand (1) can beprovided as a kit further including a support member (16), wherein theplurality of side members (2) and the support member (16) can removablyengage to assemble an embodiment of the inventive collapsible stand (1).

As to particular embodiments, the inventive collapsible stand (1) can beprovided as a kit further including a stabilizer (7), wherein theplurality of side members (2), the support member (16), and thestabilizer (17) can removably engage to assemble an embodiment of theinventive collapsible stand (1).

As to particular embodiments, the inventive collapsible stand (1) can beprovided as a kit further including a support member guide (15), whereinthe plurality of side members (2), the support member (16), and thesupport member guide (15) can removably engage to assemble an embodimentof the inventive collapsible stand (1).

As to particular embodiments, the inventive collapsible stand (1) can beprovided as a kit further including a stabilizer (7), wherein theplurality of side members (2), the support member (16), the supportmember guide (15), and the stabilizer (17) can removably engage toassemble an embodiment of the inventive collapsible stand (1).

Example 1

Axial tension and compression tests were conducted to assess loaddeformation, wherein the test was repeated three times with threesubstantially identical inventive collapsible stands (1) under serialincremental increases in load (50). Each of the inventive collapsiblestands (1) were assembled as above described and mounted to a load framehaving a static load frame first end and a mobile load frame second end.The load frame operated to apply a serial incremental increase in load(50) to each of the inventive collapsible stands (1) in a directioncoaxial with the support member longitudinal axis (51) (as shown in theexample of FIG. 7). Load (50) was applied to each of the inventivecollapsible stands (1) in serial increments of approximately 1,000pounds, with each load (50) increment held for a minimum ofapproximately one minute. The amount of deformation was recorded aftereach incremental increase of approximately 1,000 pounds. The axialtension and compression test was stopped at approximately 20,000 pounds.

Now referring primarily to FIG. 10, a graph including load deformationcurves (52) generated from axial tension and compression tests repeatedthree times with three substantially identical inventive collapsiblestands (1). The load (50) in pounds applied to each of the inventivecollapsible stands (1) during the axial tension and compression testswas plotted on the vertical axis (53) and deflection in inches of eachof the inventive collapsible stand (1) was plotted on the horizontalaxis (54). The corresponding deflections resulting from each incrementalapplication of approximately 1,000 pounds between about 1,000 pounds toabout 20,000 pounds for each of the three inventive collapsible stands(1) were recorded on the graph as solid symbols, including circles,squares and diamonds. For the three inventive collapsible stands (1)tested, the deflection was less than approximately ¼ inch at the maximumtested load (50) of approximately 20,000 pounds. As a result, the axialtension and compression tests concluded that no failure to support theapplied loads (50) was detected in any of the three inventivecollapsible stands (1) tested.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts ofthe present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. Theinvention involves numerous and varied embodiments of a collapsiblestand and methods for making and using such collapsible stands includingthe best mode.

As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the inventiondisclosed by the description or shown in the figures or tablesaccompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, butrather exemplary of the numerous and varied embodiments genericallyencompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with respect toany particular element thereof. In addition, the specific description ofa single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitlydescribe all embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives areimplicitly disclosed by the description and figures.

It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each stepof a method may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Suchterms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitlybroad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example,it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed asan action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which causesthat action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed asthe physical element or the action which that physical elementfacilitates. As but one example, the disclosure of a “support” should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of the act of “supporting”—whetherexplicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectivelydisclosure of the act of “supporting”, such a disclosure should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of a “support” and even a “means forsupporting.” Such alternative terms for each element or step are to beunderstood to be explicitly included in the description.

In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unlessits utilization in this application is inconsistent with suchinterpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood to beincluded in the description for each term as contained in the RandomHouse Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definitionhereby incorporated by reference.

All numeric values herein are assumed to be modified by the term“about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of thepresent invention, ranges may be expressed as from “about” oneparticular value to “about” another particular value. When such a rangeis expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueto the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges byendpoints includes all the numeric values subsumed within that range. Anumerical range of one to five includes for example the numeric values1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, and so forth. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint. When a value is expressed as an approximation by use of theantecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular valueforms another embodiment. The term “about” generally refers to a rangeof numeric values that one of skill in the art would consider equivalentto the recited numeric value or having the same function or result.Similarly, the antecedent “substantially” means largely, but not wholly,the same form, manner or degree and the particular element will have arange of configurations as a person of ordinary skill in the art wouldconsider as having the same function or result. When a particularelement is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent“substantially,” it will be understood that the particular element formsanother embodiment.

Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “a” or“an” entity refers to one or more of that entity unless otherwiselimited. As such, the terms “a” or “an”, “one or more” and “at leastone” can be used interchangeably herein.

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) eachof the collapsible stands herein disclosed and described, ii) therelated methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, andeven implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) thosealternative embodiments which accomplish each of the functions shown,disclosed, or described, v) those alternative designs and methods whichaccomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplishthat which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, andstep shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applicationsenhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) theresulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) methodsand apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and withreference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the variouscombinations and permutations of each of the previous elementsdisclosed.

The background section of this patent application provides a statementof the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains. This sectionmay also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of certain United Statespatents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of theclaimed invention useful in relating information, problems, or concernsabout the state of technology to which the invention is drawn toward. Itis not intended that any United States patent, patent application,publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated hereinbe interpreted, construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art withrespect to the invention.

The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are herebyincorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention,and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or aportion of such incorporated content of such claims as additionaldescription to support any of or all of the claims or any element orcomponent thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves theright to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of suchclaims or any element or component thereof from the description into theclaims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for whichprotection is sought by this application or by any subsequentapplication or continuation, division, or continuation-in-partapplication thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in feespursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations ofany country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shallsurvive during the entire pendency of this application including anysubsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part applicationthereof or any reissue or extension thereon.

Additionally, the claims set forth in this specification, if any, arefurther intended to describe the metes and bounds of a limited number ofthe preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construedas the broadest embodiment of the invention or a complete listing ofembodiments of the invention that may be claimed. The applicant does notwaive any right to develop further claims based upon the description setforth above as a part of any continuation, division, orcontinuation-in-part, or similar application.

1-25. (canceled)
 26. A method of producing a collapsible stand,comprising: providing a plurality of side members each having a topedge, a bottom edge, and a pair of opposed side edges, each one of saidpair of opposed side edges configured to abuttingly engage to form abase having a base internal surface which encloses a tubular volumebetween a base top opening and a base bottom opening; and coupling afastener element to each of said pair of opposed side edges of saidplurality of side members, each said fastener element extending from afirst of said plurality of side members at a location to removablyfasten with said fastener element of a second of said plurality of sidemembers on abutting engagement of each one of said pair of opposed sideedges to fix configuration of said base.
 27. The method of claim 26,wherein each of said plurality of side members further includes opposedflat side member faces disposed a thickness apart, said pair of opposedside edges having substantially equal length disposed between said topedge disposed in substantially parallel relation to said bottom edge,said top edge and said bottom edge having unequal length, said top edgehaving a lesser length and said bottom edge having a greater length,said fastener elements fasten to dispose each said top edge of saidlesser length at said base top opening and each said bottom edge of saidgreater length at said base bottom opening.
 28. The method of claim 27,wherein said base further comprises an external surface having aconfiguration substantially in a form of a truncated pyramid.
 29. Themethod of claim 27, further comprising providing said fastener elementsas mated pairs of said fastener elements which interdigitatingly coupleby sliding engagement to fix configuration of said base.
 30. The methodof claim 26, further comprising providing a support member configured toremovably insert into said base top opening of said base.
 31. The methodof claim 30, further comprising providing a support member heightadjustment element configured to dispose said support member in fixedheight relation to said base.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein saidsupport member height adjustment element includes: a support member boreelement which communicates between opposed support member sides; a sidemember bore element which communicates between said base internalsurface and a base external surface, said support member bore elementalignable with said side member bore element to provide a pass-through;and a securing element configured to removably insert into saidpass-through.
 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising coupling asupport terminal element to a support member first end, said supportterminal element configured to removably engage with a supportableobject.
 34. The method of claim 30, further comprising providing astabilizer having a stabilizer periphery and a stabilizer opening whichbounds a stabilizer open area, said stabilizer periphery removablycoupled to said base internal surface of said base to align saidstabilizer opening with said base top opening, said stabilizer open areaconfigured to insertingly receive said support member.
 35. The method ofclaim 34, further comprising coupling a stabilizer tab to saidstabilizer periphery; and generating a side member aperture elementwhich communicates between said opposed flat side member faces of one ofsaid plurality of side members, said stabilizer tab extending from saidstabilizer periphery to insert into said side member aperture element.36. The method of claim 30, further comprising providing a supportmember guide removably insertable into said base top opening, saidsupport member telescopically engaged inside of said support memberguide.
 37. The method of claim 36, further comprising coupling a stopelement to a support member guide external surface, said stop elementconfigured to removably engage said top edge of said side member. 38.The method of claim 36, further comprising providing a support memberheight adjustment element configured to dispose said support member infixed height relation to said base.
 39. The method of claim 38, whereinsaid support member height adjustment element includes a support memberbore element which communicates between opposed support member sides; asupport member guide bore element which communicates between opposedsupport member guide sides; a side member bore element whichcommunicates between said base internal surface and a base externalsurface, said support member bore element and said support member guidebore element alignable with said side member bore element to provide apass-through; and a securing element configured to removably insert intosaid pass-through.
 40. The method of claim 39, further comprisingproviding a stabilizer having a stabilizer periphery and a stabilizeropening which bounds a stabilizer open area, said stabilizer peripheryremovably coupled to said base internal surface of said base to alignsaid stabilizer opening with said base top opening, said stabilizer openarea configured to insertingly receive said support member.
 41. Themethod of claim 40, further comprising: coupling a stabilizer tab tosaid stabilizer periphery; and generating a side member aperture elementwhich communicates between said opposed flat side member faces of one ofsaid plurality of side members, said stabilizer tab insertable into saidside member aperture element.
 42. The method of claim 41, wherein saidcollapsible stand has a deflection of less than one quarter inch under aload applied to a longitudinal axis of said support member in a range ofbetween about 1,000 pounds to about 25,000 pounds.
 43. The method ofclaim 42, wherein said load is selected from group consisting of:between about 5,000 pounds to about 10,000 pounds, between about 7,500pounds to about 12,500 pounds, between about 10,000 pounds to about15,000 pounds, between about 12,500 pounds to about 17,500 pounds,between about 15,000 pounds to about 20,000 pounds, between about 17,500pounds to about 22,500 pounds, and between about 20,000 pounds to about25,000 pounds.